Lonely Planet Review

The best and brightest of the budget guesthouses, Banana Garden benefits from genial owners and a lovingly maintained garden. There are two shared solar-heated showers and the owners provide home-style Nepali meals.

Run by the owners of the Hungry Feel restaurant, this small, old-fashioned place feels like a home away from home. Rooms are simple - just two beds, a chair and a fan - but they're excellent value and there's a delightful stepped garden with recliners and small gazebos where you can sit and read or doze in the sun. The lodge is set amongst padi fields at the north end of the strip so you can stroll south to the shops and bars when you want action and walk west along the lake for peace and quiet. The owners are friendly and helpful and really take care of the place, but bring a torch to find your way back through the padi fields at night.